Modi invited to Tarique Rahman's Dhaka swearing-in after BNP landslide
Modi invited to Tarique Rahman's Dhaka swearing-in after BNP landslide
India mulls attendance as Tarique Rahman, BNP leader and Khaleda Zia's son, prepares to be sworn in in Dhaka after a sweeping election win.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited by Bangladesh to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Tarique Rahman, the BNP leader and son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who is set to take oath on February 17. Rahman’s party secured a landslide victory in the national elections, winning 209 of 297 seats, as the BNP appears poised to lead the government after a two-decade hiatus.
India has not officially confirmed whether Modi will travel to Dhaka, but the invitation signals a potential shift in bilateral ties as both nations seek to reset their relationship. Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, is expected to attend the event, and 13 other countries were invited as well. Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London, has promised that Bangladesh’s interests will guide foreign policy in the coming era. Modi’s reply emphasized continued commitment to peace, progress, and prosperity for both peoples.
The invitation comes amid a broader backdrop of regional diplomacy, with questions arising over how the new administration will handle relations with India, concerns over extradition talks with India, and how the leadership change might affect regional stability. Rahman’s first remarks on ties with India after his victory stressed prioritizing the interests of Bangladesh and its people, signalling a potentially more assertive approach to foreign policy. The election itself saw the Awami League barred from contesting, and voter turnout stood at about 59.44 percent, marking a significant realignment in Bangladeshi politics.
